Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

Welsh Government branded ‘delusional on Transport for Wales’

Published

on

THE CONSERVATIVES’ shadow transport secretary accused the Welsh Government of painting a rosy picture of Transport for Wales that could hardly be further from the truth.

Natasha Asghar criticised a Welsh Government statement for singing the praises of TfW as a beacon for the benefits of a publicly owned rail operator.

Pressing her opposite number, Ken Skates, she said: “It did hit home with me … because I did feel, were we in fact talking about the same TfW?

“Because the one I know lost some £300m last year, has been bailed out to the tune of £125m, has coughed up £1.8m in delay repay compensation in just one year, and spent nearly £100,000 a month in just software alone, with taxpayers footing the bill for all of this.”

Ms Asghar, who represents South Wales East, said TfW was described as the most reliable operator in Wales – yet polling showed 45% of 1,000 people surveyed felt otherwise.

She warned that people in north Wales feel short-changed on transport spending compared with south Wales, urging Mr Skates to end the discrepancy.

Peredur Owen Griffiths quizzed Mr Skates about GBR Cymru – a proposed division of the UK Government’s Great British Railways, which will bring rail services into public ownership.

“GBR Cymru, without real fiscal clout, is just an empty promise,” he said.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow transport secretary suggested full devolution of rail infrastructure to Wales is off the cards despite the recommendation of an independent commission.

Mr Owen Griffiths, who represents South Wales East, reiterated his party’s calls for Wales to get a fair share – estimated at £5bn – from the HS2 project in England.

He warned: “It’s not simply enough to promise future investment; we have to address the lack of historic investment. It can’t just be jam tomorrow.”

Labour’s Hannah Blythyn, who represents Delyn, welcomed an announcement of a 50% increase in TfW train services along the north Wales coast.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives’ Paul Davies warned rail services to his Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency are not fit for purpose.

He said: “Today’s statement refers to north Wales, south-east Wales and the south Wales valleys but, as usual, there is absolutely nothing in this statement about west Wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Sian Gwenllian, who represents Arfon, raised concerns about Avanti West Coast, saying one in five journeys are cancelled each month – often without notice.

Wrexham MS Lesley Griffiths welcomed “significant” improvements brought forward by TfW.

But the Labour backbencher, who resigned from the cabinet in July, said: “Far more needs to be done on ensuring appropriate access for disabled passengers.”

In his statement to the Senedd on September 24, Ken Skates said having two Labour governments working together is already making a difference.

Wales’ transport secretary pointed to the UK Government’s passenger services bill which will “call time” on private franchises and bring rail services back into the public sector.

Mr Skates said TfW is consistently one of the most reliable operators in Wales, with an 80% increase in the number of rail carriages on the network.

He urged the opposition to recognise the scale of what TfW has delivered compared with the “managed decline we saw under the Tories”

He said next year’s UK rail reform bill offers a huge opportunity to fundamentally reform the operating model in Wales, “the most complex of all UK nations”.

Mr Skates said GBR Cymru, which could have a dedicated pot of money for improvements, will deliver against Welsh priorities and be accountable to the Senedd.

The transport secretary said: “I’m under no illusion in terms of the scale of the challenges ahead. On the core valleys lines transformation in particular, we are at a critical stage.”

Accusing the Tories of leaving a “poisonous’ economic legacy, he cautioned: “The money simply isn’t there to deliver all the changes we’d like to see across our transport network.”

Mr Skates said the HS2 project was decimated when the second leg was cancelled in 2023, estimating the consequential funding Wales would expect at £350m.

He added that Welsh ministers await the outcome of the new UK Government’s HS2 review.

News

Hundreds of Pembrokeshire Council Tax defaulters in court next week

Published

on

HAVERFORDWEST Magistrates’ Court will hear cases against hundreds of defendants next week as Pembrokeshire County Council seeks liability orders for unpaid council tax and non-domestic rates.

The session, scheduled for Monday (Mar 17) at 10:00am, will see a block of cases between 12:00pm and 1:00pm dedicated to council tax disputes. The council is applying for liability orders under regulation 34 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.

A total of 341 defendants are listed for non-payment of council tax, while a further 18 cases relate to unpaid non-domestic rates under Regulation 12 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.

Liability orders allow the council to take further enforcement action, which may include deductions from wages or benefits, bailiff action, or bankruptcy proceedings.

The Herald will provide further updates following the hearing.

Continue Reading

News

Reimburse charities for NI rise, say Welsh Conservatives

Published

on

CHARITIES not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations in Wales face mounting financial strain due to an increase in employer National Insurance (NI) contributions, prompting calls for government intervention.

The UK Labour Government’s decision to raise employer NI contributions has drawn sharp criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who warn that the move will place an undue burden on charities and voluntary groups. While public sector bodies such as the NHS and local councils will receive compensation for the additional costs, charities providing essential services under local authority contracts will not be reimbursed.

A survey by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) found that 84% of voluntary organisations are concerned about how they will manage the NI increase.

Senedd debate on reimbursement

Next week, the Welsh Conservatives will bring forward a Senedd debate urging the Welsh Labour Government to press Westminster for financial support for Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations. The motion argues these groups should be classified under the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) definition of public sector employees to qualify for reimbursement.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:

“Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations play a vital role in delivering public services that the most vulnerable in society depend upon.

“Labour’s decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions will have a detrimental impact on the future and viability of these organisations.

“The Welsh Conservatives are clear: Labour must ensure that Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations are reimbursed for this rise in employer National Insurance contributions.”

Sector voices concern

The WCVA has also warned that the NI increase could put crucial community services at risk.

A WCVA spokesperson said: “WCVA is deeply concerned about the impact of increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions on voluntary sector organisations across Wales. Many of these organisations already face significant financial pressures, and this increase threatens to put additional strain on their resources and potentially jeopardise vital services delivered to communities.

“We have strongly urged both the UK and Welsh Governments to recognise the invaluable role the voluntary sector plays, especially in partnership with public services. We believe it is critical for voluntary organisations delivering public services to be treated equitably and included in any financial support measures, ensuring they are not disproportionately disadvantaged by these policy changes.

“WCVA welcomes the debate in the Senedd and hopes it will lead to productive discussions and practical solutions to protect the voluntary sector’s essential contribution to Welsh society.”

Motion to be debated

The Senedd motion, set for debate next week, states:

  • Notes the UK Government’s increase to employer National Insurance contributions, coming into effect for the 2025-26 tax year.
  • Recognises the detrimental impact the increase will have on Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations.
  • Calls on the Welsh Government to make urgent representations to the UK Government to ensure that these organisations delivering public services are included in the ONS-defined public sector category and are reimbursed for the rise in employer National Insurance contributions.

The debate will determine whether Welsh Labour will push for financial support to shield the voluntary sector from these additional costs.

Continue Reading

News

Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS

Published

on

DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite local authorities across Wales holding more than £2 billion in reserves. The increase, among the highest in Wales, comes as families struggle with soaring living costs and a series of consecutive tax hikes.

Paul Davies MS: Welsh Government should do more to help keep Council Tax as low as possible (Image: File)

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has called for urgent reform, criticising the Welsh Government’s Local Government Funding Formula and urging councils to use their reserves to ease the burden on taxpayers.

‘UNFAIR AND UNSUSTAINABLE’

Mr Davies said: “Under the Welsh Government, the Local Government Funding Formula remains broken.

“It cannot be right that people in Pembrokeshire face such a huge increase in their council tax while councils across Wales are sitting on over £2 billion in usable reserves.

“The Welsh Government must do more to keep council tax as low as possible by encouraging the use of reserves, improving efficiency within councils, and promoting the sharing of resources across council boundaries.”

CALLS FOR CHANGE

The Welsh Conservatives have consistently opposed large council tax increases, calling for an independent review of the Local Government Funding Formula. They argue that councils should:

  • Use reserves to reduce tax rises.
  • Improve efficiency by cutting unnecessary spending.
  • Increase cooperation between councils to share services and lower costs.

RISING RESERVES, RISING BILLS

For years, Pembrokeshire had the lowest council tax in Wales, but after a 12.5% rise in 2024-25, it has surged significantly. Despite this, Pembrokeshire County Council holds £82.6 million in usable reserves, equivalent to 28.4% of its annual service expenditure.

In 2016-17, the council held just £47 million in reserves, rising to £83 million in 2021-22. Critics argue that this surplus should be used to relieve financial pressures rather than imposing further tax hikes.

With councils under fire for hoarding cash while demanding more from residents, pressure is mounting on the Welsh Government to overhaul funding and prevent further unaffordable rises.

Continue Reading

Sport7 hours ago

England thrash Wales with 10-try rout but miss out on Six Nations title

Wales 14-68 England Youngster Henry Pollock shines with two debut tries in Cardiff drubbing ENGLAND delivered their most dominant performance...

Sport16 hours ago

Wales v England: A battle for pride and the title

TODAY the Six Nations reaches its climax – it’s Super Saturday, Wales and England prepare for a clash in Cardiff...

Crime1 day ago

Child sexual crime in Pembrokeshire: Perception vs. reality

IN RECENT years, concerns have grown among Pembrokeshire residents regarding the perceived high number of child sexual offences in the...

News2 days ago

Software engineer collided with bus near Cleddau Bridge deliberately

A TRAGIC collision near the Cleddau Bridge claimed the life of a Pembrokeshire software engineer, an inquest has heard. Matthew...

News2 days ago

Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS

DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite...

Crime3 days ago

Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales

VIOLENCE AMONG TEENS LEADING TO CALLS FOR WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ACT WALES is experiencing an alarming surge in violent crime...

Community4 days ago

Caldey Island mourns loss of beloved long-time resident

CALDEY ISLAND is in mourning following the passing of its oldest resident, Rita Cunningham, at the age of 95. A...

News4 days ago

Dog attack in Pembroke Dock sparks police probe and online debate

A VIOLENT dog attack in Pembroke Dock town centre on Tuesday (March 11) has led to a police investigation and...

Business4 days ago

Câr-Y-Môr leads Wales’ £105m regenerative sea farming push

PEMBROKESHIRE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDER TO EXPAND INDUSTRY Wales is poised to develop a £105 million regenerative sea farming industry, projected...

Crime5 days ago

Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack

A Milford man has admitted hurling a barrage of racial insults at a male, after calling him ‘a black b******’...

Popular This Week